Manager: Bond between players and fans was key to our victory

CELTIC Park once again enjoyed a memorable European night as the Hoops beat RB Leipzig 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League. It was an impressive victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side against a side currently fourth in the Bundesliga, and achieved in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Kieran Tierney’s first-half goal was cancelled out in the 78th minute when Leipzig grabbed an equaliser. But almost immediately, Celtic raced up the park, carving their way through the visitors’ defence for Odsonne Edouard to slot home the winner.

It was no more than Celtic deserved for an outstanding performance against a top-class European outfit, and the Hoops boss was delighted with his team’s showing.

“It was a proper victory for us against a very good Leipzig side,” he said. “Everyone involved with Celtic deserves a huge amount of credit. The players were absolutely brilliant, and we brought our pressing and identity to the game.

“The supporters were absolutely magnificent too. It’s always a very emotional game at Celtic Park and that synergy between them both gets the points for us. It was a fantastic result for us. The most important thing was to win and win well. We still have two games to go and we’ll do our best to qualify.”

The atmosphere inside Paradise was already electric by the time the players stepped out on to the pitch, with the stunning pre-match lightshow having heightened the sense of excitement and expectation amongst supporters.

And the players responded in magnificent fashion, taking all three points to keep the dream of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition alive.

“Celtic Park is one of the most intimidating arenas in European football,” Brendan Rodgers said. “Some of the best teams in the world have some here over the years and suffered.

“The whole emotion in the stadium helps us. It was a really emotional game. Our players fed off that and they helped us to the victory.

“We showed no fear, we played with aggression and brought our identity to the game. It’s nice that the players can do it, not just domestically, but against one of the best teams in Europe.

“It’s the mark of the very best players, when it does go against you, to still fight and believe that you can win. At 1-1 they responded straight away and had that belief to get a fantastic winning goal. It was a great victory for us and one I’m very proud of.”